Filibuster Reform Kaput

If the obstructionist monkey remains on the back of Republicans in the grip of factions far to the right of mainstream America, the surrenderist monkey remains on the back of Democrats in Washington who will soon face a backlash from the Democratic base that they have no idea is coming. Filibuster reform is dead. Kaput. Bye-bye. Farewell. Done deal. Over and out. For those who think I am a shameless loyalist to Democratic leaders, whom I usually support, I would not try to sell this dead dog to a dead cat.

I have worked for high-level Democrats in both the Senate and House and know the rules inside out, and I could figure out how to obstruct and destroy any legislation under this latest “agreement” in two minutes after 10 beers during the last quarter of the Super Bowl.

Republicans in the Senate have abused the filibuster in recent years in ways that have corrupted Senate procedures more than at any time in the history of the republic. In response and after decibels of discussion in which Democrats suggested Democrats would take a stand, here is what happened:

Nothing.

Before the latest “gentlemen’s agreement” Senate Democrats would have to solicit the gracious permission of Senate Republicans before doing the business of the United States on the floor of the United States Senate.

After the latest “gentlemen’s agreement” Senate Democrats will have to solicit the gracious permission of Senate Republicans before doing the business of the United States on the floor of the United States Senate.

Meanwhile, Senate Republicans, who are in mortal fear of facing primaries from the far fight, including both the Republican leader in the Senate and the Republican whip in the Senate, will seek the approval of the right before granting their permission to the Democrats.

Permission denied.

Nothing changes.

Filibuster wins.

Mr. Smith has left Washington.

There will be a huge backlash from the Democratic base once liberals from outside Washington fully understand what just happened. The backlash will become severe once the Republicans renew their filibuster attacks, which will return before the rooster crows many more times and continue throughout the current Congress, between recesses.

[/dc]I[/dc]n the meantime there is a lot of misinformation being peddled to the Democratic base about the fight (or fate) of the assault-weapons ban, a subject for another day, though I warn the Democratic base not to put great faith in big promises, and I warn Democrats in Washington not to make promises they do not intend to keep.

About Brent Budowsky

Brent Budowsky served as Legislative Assistant to U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen, responsible for commerce and intelligence matters, including one of the core drafters of the CIA Identities Law. Served as Legislative Director to Congressman Bill Alexander, then Chief Deputy Whip, House of Representatives. Currently a member of the International Advisory Council of the Intelligence Summit. Left government in 1990 for marketing and public affairs business including major corporate entertainment and talent management. He can be reached at brentbbi@webtv.net.

Comments

In attitude and focus this piece is an agreeable far cry from Budowsky’s recent personality-centered speculations about 2014 and 2016. However, the piece lacks key specifics. It predicts a Democratic ‘backlash’, but ‘backlash’ is at best an abstraction. Specifically what exactly does Budowsky think will or could happen?

Thanks
I got e-mails from groups that wanted me to support this sell-out and I refused.
I will be letting my own Senators know that this is not good news.

Democrats are afraid that they may be in the minority some day. What they fail to understand is – that day will come sooner if they cannot demonstrate an ability to govern. And they cannot govern when they let Republicans block the process.

It is time that Democrats support democracy. Let the people’s voice be heard.

I have been critical in the past of liberal democratic writing by this author but I will have to say that I see a big jump in BB’s understanding of the problem of the capitulation of the Democrats in Congress and the White House. The problem is that capitalism is a metabolic social system and always has and always will to reproduce itself and strengthen its hold on everything around as it now seeks to establish a world hegemony of market capitalism in which profit only and the accumulation of capital by the few and exploitation of the many is the sole rule of “morality” or good.

Wellness

Carole Bartolotto: The problem with concluding that GMOs are safe is that the argument for their safety rests solely on animal studies. These studies are offered as evidence that the debate over GMOs is over. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Environmentalism

Margo McCall: There’s increasing evidence that adopting a plant-based diet is better for human health, the planet, and of course for the more than 9 billion animals that are killed for consumption each year in the U.S alone.